Developing a new energy technology is no easy task, and we are all well aware of the risks and barriers. But what is the promise of this new industry that warrants such effort and investment? This panel will answer that question, remind you of what is at stake, and arm you with the data and narrative to help persuade and represent the value and future of this promising industry.

It’s clear that the standard power purchase agreement (PPA) model may not work for marine energy, especially in the early stages of the industry, primarily because of the cost of power. So, what’s the path forward for above market power, and how do we improve the market for marine renewables? This panel will analyze these questions, and discuss the following ideas: How do we better define the benefits of these new technologies? What models can we use or create to provide a market for early projects? How do we minimize the risk of new technologies, so as to distribute the costs and benefits more broadly? What are the implications of the new Oregon Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requirement and expansion of the California ISO.

Utilities are not the only off-takers of electricity generation projects. Several other options exist for renewables projects. Commercial and industrial customers are a growing market, as companies seek to secure renewable energy power and meet their growing needs. Additionally, new mechanisms are being developed, including direct access, green tariffs, and renewable energy certificates. This panel will explore these new market opportunities.

2:45pm – 4:00pm: Connecting to the Grid: Hardware and Contracts: What You Need to Know

As the industry moves to commercial maturity, several issues arise relevant to connecting to the grid. This panel will provide expert insights into processes for interconnection (interconnection studies and agreements, wheeling contracts, and power sales) and grid integration (transmission, ancillary services, and dynamic transfer).

The National Ocean Council has begun to implement the National Ocean Policies of the Obama Administration, including regional marine spatial planning, which has already occurred for the northeast and mid-Atlantic regions. Regional planning for the west coast has just begun, and this panel will feature specialists in this subject to discuss what we can expect, and how the marine renewables industry can engage in this effort.

Finalists from the US Department of Energy’s Wave Energy Prize will be on the conference floor to show and tell about their technologies and experience moving through the WEC prize process. Conference attendees will be encouraged to visit with the teams and learn about their experiences from the competition and plans for further development.

Over the past several years, significant progress has been made in understanding the effects, or lack thereof, from marine renewable energy on the ocean environment. This panel will report out from the previous day’s regulatory workshop, provide a summary of the state of the science, and discuss how our improved understanding can impact the regulatory process for early testing and demonstration projects.

1:30pm – 2:45pm: From Concept to Commercialization: The Pacific Pathway

The US West Coast presents a unique opportunity for marine renewable energy technology development from concept to commercialization. This panel will highlight the strengths of established and proposed test centers across the region, while also considering how the centers can work together to streamline lifecycle testing and early development opportunities.

Technology convergence is a common topic in marine renewables. But what is the basis of this concept, and how does it apply to marine renewables? This panel will discuss the background of this concept, and consider how the concept does or does not affect marine renewables and its subsystems.